Preamble

The House met at Eleven of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.

Oral Answers to Questions — NAVAL AND MILITARY PENSIONS AND GRANTS.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL: 1.
asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a pension has been refused to the widow of Mr. Edmund King, a disabled soldier, who died in St. George's Hospital about six months ago after being severely wounded in one knee, one arm, and the head, with the result that both his knees were anchylosed, and that he suffered from chronic septic arthritis and periodical attacks of erysipelas in the head; and if he will have the matter looked into and see whether something can be done to meet this case immediately?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon): The pensioner in this case died of Addison's disease. The merits of the claim were most carefully considered, but the Ministry were unable to connect the fatal disease with the pensioner's war disabilities, and the Ministry's view was confirmed on consultation with expert opinion at the hospital where the man was under treatment. In these circumstances, my Department was, I regret, unable to admit the claim. Mrs. King has, however, a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, and has been notified accordingly.

Sir F. HALL: Is it not the fact that this man was in receipt of a 100 per cent. pension at the time when he was removed from Seal Mansions into the hospital; and does not my right hon. Friend consider that these two things, running one after the other, both have a bearing on the man's case, especially in view of the fact that the man was in the best of health when he joined the Army?

Major TRYON: I shall be glad to put forward any consideration that would be helpful to the widow, but, in these matters, we have to be guided by medical opinion. If my hon. and gallant Friend can put forward anything that would help the case, I shall be most glad to send it on.

Sir F. HALL: I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend.

Oral Answers to Questions — LORD TERRINGTON (EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS).

Colonel DAY: 2.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the present position with reference to the extradition proceedings of Lord Terrington?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks): I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on the 21st of November, to which I have not anything to add.

Colonel DAY: Is medical examination taking place with regularity, to see whether this man is improving in health?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS: I think we may say that it is taking place with fair regularity.

Oral Answers to Questions — PUBLIC HEALTH.

MILK SUPPLIES, NOTTINGHAM (PROSECUTIONS).

Dr. VERNON DAVIES: 6.
asked the Home Secretary what was the number of prosecutions in the County of Nottingham for the adulteration of milk during the years 1924, 1925 and 1926, with the penalties imposed?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS: In the county the figures were: prosecutions, 16, 11, 13; fines, £20 19s. 6d., £17 16s., £22. If the City of Nottingham and the Borough of Newark be included, the following are the additional figures: prosecutions, 17, 4, 10; fines, £12, £15 8s., £9 10s. The figures of fines do not include costs ordered to be paid in addition.

Mr. HAYES: Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these were not first offences?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS: No; I could not possibly say without notice.

X-RAY MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS.

Colonel DAY: 3.
asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the London County Council to license an X-ray massage establishment; and whether he will consider the necessity of introducing legislation which will have for its object the restriction of the use of X-ray treatment by beauty specialists and massage establishments throughout Great Britain?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood): I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Hardie) on 15th December.

Colonel DAY: With regard to the first part of the question, if the hon. Gentleman makes inquiries, he will see the importance of it. Is it not a fact that if this apparatus gets into inexperienced hands, there is great danger to the public?

Sir K. WOOD: That may very well be so.

Colonel DAY: Does not the hon. Gentleman think the public need protection, and, if the County Council will not give it, does he not think that other bodies ought to do so?

Sir K. WOOD: If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the answer to which I have referred him, he will find that legislation is necessary. I do not think it is at all practicable at present.

LIQUOR TRADE, CARLISLE.

Colonel Sir ARTHUR HOLBROOK: 7.
asked the Home Secretary on what grounds he recently refused a licence to a dispossessed wholesale wine and spirit merchant resident in the City of Carlisle to enable him to sell wines, spirits, and beer to the trade, and for domestic purposes, upon the same terms as outside firms who now supply large quantities of the beverages named in Carlisle and the district, and who do not in any way con-
tribute to the local rates; and whether he is aware that the grant of the licence applied for would not in any way interfere with the legitimate control of public houses and would not create a precedent, as licences have been granted to two clubs which purchase all their supplies from outside sources?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS: It is a fact that an application was recently made on behalf of a former licensee in the City of Carlisle for permission, in effect, to reestablish in the city the licensed business which was compulsorily acquired from him in 1916 by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) on payment of an agreed sum for compensation. This application was refused. I am satisfied that the facilities already existing for the sale of intoxicating liquor in the City of Carlisle for domestic purposes are adequate.

DOG RACING (ALLOTMENTS, EAST LONDON).

Colonel DAY: 18.
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his notice has been drawn to the proposed erection of a greyhound racing track in the East End of London on the garden allotments situate on this site; and whether he will state if any negotiations are pending for the purpose of paying compensation to the holders of these garden allotments?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness): My attention has been drawn to the proposal to which the hon. Member refers. As the allotments in question are let direct by the owner of the land to the allotment holders, neither the Ministry nor the local allotments authority is in any way concerned in the proposal, and, while I believe the question of compensation is being discussed, I have no definite information on the subject.

Mr. FENBY: Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the owner in question?

Mr. GUINNESS: As the hon. Member is aware, compensation is payable under certain conditions during certain seasons, but I am afraid that we have no power to interfere. I understand, however, that negotiations are going on, and I hope that the allotment holders will be treated generously.

AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS (SUBVENTIONS).

Major McLEAN: 19.
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any information as to whether any bounties or subventions are given by the Dominions or by foreign countries in aid of agricultural produce exported to the United Kingdom?

Mr. GUINNESS: Inquiries have been made into this matter, and information has been received in respect of some 20 countries. No case has been found where any bounty or subvention is given to agricultural commodities which compete with British produce, though cleaned rice exported from Spain received a subvention of 25 pesetas per ton. The countries to which the above statement applies are Canada, India and South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Esthonia, France, Finland, Holland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Rumania, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States. Information in regard to New Zealand and Australia is not yet available.

UNEMPLOYMENT AND WAGES (STATISTICS).

Mr. W. THORNE: 22.
asked the, Minister of Labour the number of people on the live register of the Employment Exchanges for the months ended May and November, 1927, respectively; and the net amount of reduction in wages for the first 11 months of this year?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton): The number of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 28th November, 1927, was 1,145,230, as compared with 985,513 at 30th May, 1927. In the industries for which statistics are compiled by the Ministry of Labour, the changes in rates of wages reported during the first 11 months of 1927 resulted in a net reduction of £383,350 in the weekly full-time wages of 1,857,000 workpeople, and in a net increase of £29,850 in those of 276,000, the net effect of all the changes being a reduction of £353,500. These figures relate mainly, though not exclusively, to organised groups of wage-earners, and they do not include the effects of changes in the wages of agricultural labourers,
domestic servants, police, shop assistants, clerks or Government employés, as to whom complete statistics are not available.

Mr. THORNE: Do I understand that there were more than 100,000 men and women on the live register at the end of November than there were in May, and, if that be so, what becomes of the recent report that was made by the President of the Board of Trade?

Mr. BETTERTON: The observations of my right hon. Friend are not in the least inconsistent with the figures that I have given. As is well known to the hon. Member, the figures always increase from seasonal causes in the winter.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Can the hon. Gentleman say why, a week or a fortnight ago, these figures have decreased for the first time in several years, seeing that at this time of year they increase rather than decrease?

Mr. BETTERTON: The numbers always increase, and always have increased ever since I have had any knowledge of the matter, during the winter months. The peak always comes about April, May or June.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is it not the fact that, towards the end of November and the beginning of December, owing to seasonal reasons, unemployment usually increases considerably, and why is it that this year, of all years, should show an exception the other way?

Mr. BETTERTON: No, Sir; I think it is perfectly plain that the numbers of people unemployed usually diminish just before Christmas, as, indeed, they have done this year. They are down by more than 24,000 this week. But, taking the aggregate, it will always be found that the figures are greater in the winter months than they are in, say, May or June.

Mr. LAWSON: Has the Ministry of Labour no intention of trying to get a full record of the increases or reductions in the figures at the present time?

Mr. BETTERTON: If the hon. Member refers to agricultural labourers, domestic servants, and shop assistants, I am afraid that we have not any statistics, and I am not at all sure that we could get them.

Mr. LAWSON: I am speaking about those in other large industries, too. Has the Ministry no means of getting a record of reductions and increases, so that we may have something like a real idea of what is taking place?

Mr. BETTERTON: I think the figures I have given are comprehensive, except that they do not include the limited classes to which I have referred, and with respect to whom we have no available statistics. I think that, with the exception of these limited classes, the figures are comprehensive.

Mr. LAWSON: Would it not be true to say that changes in wages at the present time, and particularly reductions, are taking place on a very large scale in industries which are never recorded at all?

Mr. BETTERTON: As regards the industries which are not recorded, I cannot, of course, answer one way or the other. The reductions to which I have referred are in some cases, as the hon. Member knows, due to agreements which provide for a reduction or increase depending upon the cost of living, and that accounts for some of the changes. In other agreements, the wages depend upon the selling price of the commodities produced, and that may also have a bearing.

GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM.

Sir CHARLES OMAN: 26.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what are his intentions in view of the dangerous condition of the Museum of Geology in Jermyn Street?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir VIVIAN HENDERSON: for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS: The Royal Commission on the National Museums and Galleries has represented that the present conditions in Jermyn Street are unsatisfactory from every point of view, and that the transfer of the Geological Museum to an appropriate site in South Kensington should be made at the earliest convenient moment. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and my Noble Friend endorse this view, and hope to give effect to it as soon as financial circumstances permit.

Captain CROOKSHANK: What is expected to be the saving out of this transfer?

Sir V. HENDERSON: The savings will be of various kinds.

POTTERY (MARKING).

Mr. ERNEST BROWN: 30.
asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the Report of the Committee which dealt with the marking of pottery?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick): I am informed that the Committee are considering their Report, but I cannot say when it is likely to be received.

PARISH RELIEF, SCOTLAND.

Mr. BUCHANAN: 31.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider his circular to parish councils of 1925 regarding scales of payments, in view of the extreme nature of the cold weather, and advise them to resume their former practice of slightly increased payments?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour): I would refer to my replies on this subject given to the hon. Member on 8th and 22nd November, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is not the extreme cold in Scotland in the past two or three weeks sufficient to cause the right hon. Gentleman to consider the matter? Does he think 29s., the normal scale of relief for three children, father and mother, is sufficient in these cold days to provide warmth as well as food?

Sir J. GILMOUR: I said that we had no evidence before my Board that hardship was being caused, and I invited the hon. Member to bring before me any cases where such hardship has accrued, but I have not received them.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in these bitter cold days 29s. is not sufficient to maintain five persons in warmth and food?

Sir J. GILMOUR: The hon. Member must also be aware that in the circular issued by the Board of Health a certain
latitude is given to parish councils to deal with special circumstances in special cases?

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that parish councils are interpreting this as a dead rule of 29s., and will he not make inquiries, particularly in industrial centres, to see if real distress is not occurring generally, and not deal with exceptions?

Sir J. GILMOUR: If there are any complaints that they are not being properly treated, they have their remedy in an application to have their cases considered.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that persons have no appeal against the parish council at all if they are able-bodied, and they have to accept this 29s. for five persons? Could he not reconsider the thing in view of the extreme cold?

Sir J. GILMOUR: This is a matter which is always, of course, before the Board, but they have no evidence, although I have invited evidence.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES (EXPENDITURE).

Sir A. HOLBROOK: 33.
asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the County Councils Association asking that some restriction should be observed in legislation which imposes upon local authorities duties involving new and substantial local expenditure; and whether he will consider the desirability of laying down the principle that legislation which has the effect of imposing burdens on local authorities shall receive the direct sanction of Parliament as to the extent of those burdens and not leave it open to the public departments of the State to demand expenditure by local authorities by means of Orders in Council or Departmental Regulations?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin): I have every sympathy with the object which my hon. and gallant Friend and the County Councils Association have in view, but I am very doubtful as to the practicability of his suggestions. In certain cases in the past Parliament has limited the power of expenditure of local authorities on a new service, but the
arrangement has not proved a success, and I do not think it is the best method of securing the necessary economy in local administration. The system, moreover, of Departmental Regulations involving expenditure could only be avoided by throwing a very large amount of extra work upon this already overburdened House. I think that the House full recognises that it is a legislative and not an administrative body and that its control over Departmental administration must rest in the main on the individual and collective responsibility to it of His Majesty's Ministers.

Colonel GRETTON: Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with Departments of the Government to stop the practice which sometimes prevails of requiring increased expenditure by the local authorities as a condition of paying Government grants?

The PRIME MINISTER: I will look into that question.

Oral Answers to Questions — TRANSPORT.

LANARKSHIRE TRAMWAYS COMPANY.

Mr. BARR: 27.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that owing to uncontrolled opposition by motor omnibus owners, subject to no statutory obligations, the Lanarkshire Tramways Company, which has operated for 24 years a tramway system of 28 miles in the County of Lanark under statutory obligations, will soon be forced to close down, thus putting out of work all their tramway employés, whose annual wages now amount to £45,000, and throwing on the ratepayers the annual cost of maintaining the roadway now borne by the company; that the company have in the past been paying to the local authority about £13,000 annually in relief of the rates; and whether the Minister can take any immediate action to protect the company, their employés and the ratepayers?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley): I have been informed by the company that the severe competition of motor omnibuses may render it necessary for them to cease working the tramways. I have no control over the issue of licences granted to omnibus proprietors, which is a matter for the licensing authorities concerned.

MOTOR VEHICLES (NOISY EXHAUSTS).

Sir A. HOLBROOK: 28.
asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, in consequence of the Regulations issued by him to prevent noise by motor cyclists, prosecutions are being instituted in cases where it has been shown that the machines were fitted with the most up-to-date silencers and that these prosecutions have failed; and whether he will amend his instructions in order to prevent prosecutions in cases where machines are fitted with such silencers?

Colonel ASHLEY: The Regulation designed to prohibit the use of noisy exhausts on motor vehicles was issued in 1912 and, in my opinion, is not an unreasonable one. The question of the enforcement of the law is a matter for the police. I cannot see my way to amend the Regulation on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

Sir A. HOLBROOK: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large batch of prosecutions have recently been taken in the Midlands and all withdrawn owing to the fact that the machines are fitted with these up-to-date silencers?

Colonel ASHLEY: The Regulations require—I think they are quite reasonable—that the silencer should be suitable and sufficient for reducing, as far as may be reasonable and practicable, the noise which would otherwise be caused by the escape of the said gases, and in my opinion the noise from these machines has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished.

Sir A. HOLBROOK: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some cycle manufacturers have offered a reward of £10,000 to anyone who can submit to them a silencer which will be fully effective? Does it not seem very hard on motor manufacturers that they should have to close down some of their works, as they will do?

Colonel ASHLEY: Yes, but my hon. Friend must realise that it is much harder on people who are kept awake at night.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of this noise making is deliberate on the part of people who think it is rather a fine thing to make it?

OMNIBUS EMPLOYéS, GLASGOW.

Mr. BUCHANAN: 29.
asked the Minister of Transport if he has made any inquiry into the representations he has received from interested parties in Glasgow and district regarding the conditions of service of the employés of the various omnibus owners; and if he is prepared to take any action?

Colonel ASHLEY: I have no jurisdiction in matters relating to the conditions of service of the employés of motor omnibus proprietors.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conditions of service of many of these omnibus servants are worse than Trade Board conditions, and does he intend to take any action in the matter?

Colonel ASHLEY: I have no power in the matter. Any representations had better be addressed to the Minister of Labour.

WASHINGTON HOURS CON- VENTION.

Mr. BUCHANAN: 23.
asked the Minister of Labour if he intends to take any action, when Parliament again meets, to give effect to the Washington Eight Hours Convention?

Mr. BETTERTON: My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement on this subject early in the next Session.

Mr. W. THORNE: Is it not a fact that if the Washington Convention (Hours of Labour) were put into operation, so far as productive work is concerned, it would affect only 8 per cent. of the population?

Mr. BETTERTON: I could not possibly give an opinion on that without notice. It involves rather a large question.

Mr. BUCHANAN: If I put down a question when we resume, will the hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement?

Mr. BETTERTON: My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement early in the next Session, but whether quite early I cannot say. Of course, it is open to the hon. Member to put down a question.

Oral Answers to Questions — POST OFFICE.

POSTAL CHEQUES.

Mr. AMMON: 24.
asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received from the Post Office Advisory Council a report on the inquiry into the postal cheque system which was conducted by the postal cheque sub-committee; what is the nature of the report, and what action he proposes to take with regard to the introduction of a postal cheque system; and, in the event of the report not yet having been considered, when he will be able to make an announcement?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer): The Sub-Committee on postal cheques has not yet presented its Report to the Post Office Advisory Council, and I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

POSTMAN'S CONVICTION, KILBURN.

Mr. AMMON: 25.
asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of John William Hammond, a head postman employed at Kilburn, who was recently convicted at the Marylebone Police Court for stealing a 10s. note; is he aware that the man was 60 years of age and had 39 years' service in the Post Office; that as a result of his conviction Hammond's wife died from shock; that he was deprived of a gratuity of £390 and a pension of £2 15s. per week; and, seeing that such gratuity and pension were in the nature of deferred pay and should not be withheld on account of the police court proceedings, he will inquire into this case?

Viscount WOLMER: This case has been brought to my notice. I am having inquiry made into it, and will communicate further with the hon. Member. He is no doubt aware that the question of the award of pension or gratuity to any civil servant is a matter dealt with by the Treasury in accordance with the general Regulations applicable to the Civil Service under the Superannuation Acts.

Mr. AMMON: Will the Noble Lord submit to the Treasury that if a pension is in the nature of deferred pay, it should be inviolate?

Viscount WOLMER: All relevant considerations in this case will be borne in mind.

Colonel DAY: Will the Noble Lord have a public inquiry, because it interests a large number of other Members besides the hon. Member for Camberwell?

Viscount WOLMER: I cannot make a promise of that character.

TRANS-ATLANTIC TELEPHONE SERVICE.

Mr. FENBY: (by Private Notice) asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the fact that so little use is being made from this country of the new telephone service to New York that unless more business is done a heavy loss to the Post Office will be involved, and what steps are being taken to popularise this service?

Viscount WOLMER: No. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. and gallant Member for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) on the 13th instant, the present revenue from the trans-Atlantic telephone service approximately covers working costs, but not interest, depreciation and amortisation.

Colonel DAY: Has the Noble Lord considered that if the very high rate charged, which is £5 a minute, were reduced, a great deal more traffic would take place?

Viscount WOLMER: Yes, Sir. The traffic is steadily growing, and the Postmaster-General, as at present advised, is not prepared to reduce the rates. He hopes that as business men more and more realise the great advantages which are to be obtained from using this service they will realise how extremely cheap it is.

Colonel DAY: Has the Postmaster-General considered reducing the rates after certain hours of the day to give people an opportunity?

Viscount WOLMER: The Postmaster-General has had all these suggestions before him and as soon as he is advised—and I would remind the hon. Member that it is a matter which has to be arranged not only in this country but in America; it is a matter of agreement between the two administrations—he will vary the rates as soon as he thinks fit.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: In view of the last answer, will the right hon. Gentleman use the telephone himself to talk to the Postmaster-General in America and try to arrange it, and at the same time try to set an example to the other subjects?

Colonel DAY: Have any negotiations taken place with America?

Viscount WOLMER: We are in constant touch with America on the whole working of this system.

RENT RESTRICTIONS ACT.

Mr. W. THORNE: 11.
asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to certain recent decisions in the King's Bench Division concerning the Rent Restrictions Act, by which at least one million homes are affected; and if he intends taking any action to amend the law in the matter?

Sir K. WOOD: It is assumed that the hon. Member is referring to the case of Roe v. Russell. My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to this case, and he understands that leave to appeal has now been granted. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend feels sure that the hon. Member would not wish him to make a statement on the subject.

Mr. THORNE: In the event of the appeal failing, will the Government take action next Session to deal with the matter?

Sir K. WOOD: We must await the result of the appeal.

COAL INDUSTRY (NECESSITOUS AREAS, SOUTH WALES).

Mr. HARRIS: (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether in his special relief schemes are contemplated to help the population in the distressed mining areas of South Wales; whether he is aware that many families are reduced to penury and want, and whether seeing that in many of the villages, where the mines are closed, mining is the sole industry, it would be possible to give some special financial aid to the local authorities concerned, especially as many tradespeople are in
such straitened circumstances owing to the expended credit they have to give that they will soon be unable to pay their rates?

Sir K. WOOD: My right hon. Friend is aware of the very difficult position prevailing in some parts of South Wales, owing to the condition of the mining industry. He received yesterday a deputation from the local authorities concerned, at which the situation was fully discussed. So far as he is aware the responsible authorities are not failing to meet their obligations in regard to the relief of Institution. He does not think that special action in the way of Exchequer grants would be appropriate. The position in this area will, no doubt, engage the attention of the Industrial Transfer Board in course of being established.

Mr. HARRIS: Does the Minister realise that the position is more urgent, almost desperate, that delay is a serious matter, and has he further seen the allegation that the maximum relief given now in some of these milling towns is fixed at 7s.? Is that statement correct?

Sir K. WOOD: I think the hon. Gentleman must read my answer. The whole matter was very fully discussed with Members of Parliament chiefly concerned in this matter at the deputation yesterday. The proceedings at the deputation and my right hon. Friend's reply will be made public, and I invite the hon. Gentleman to await the statement as to what was then said.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: Would not most of this trouble have been avoided if Mr. Justice Sankey's Report had been adopted?

Sir K. WOOD: Perhaps, if the hon. and gallant Member had been in charge it would have been better still.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: I would have kept my word.

Mr. LAWSON: Can the Parliamentary Secretary give us an assurance that the answer to this deputation will be much more effective than the answer of the Minister to the North Eastern Conference dealing with those areas? Nothing was done though much sympathy was expressed?

Sir K. WOOD: It would be unwise to make comparisons between the two deputations, but I would invite the hon. Gentleman to await the statement which will be made, I hope, to-day.

Mr. BUCHANAN: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that if these areas were situated abroad, in India, special relief funds would be formed, and can he not see that the people at home are at least as well treated as the people abroad?

Mr. SPEAKER: That matter does not arise.

MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.

That they have agreed to,—

Amendments to—

Superannuation and other Trust Funds (Validation) Bill [Lords], without Amendment.

Nursing Homes (Registration) Bill,—

That they do not insist upon their Amendment to the Nursing Homes (Registration) Bill to which this House hath disagreed.

Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Bill,—

That they agree with certain of the Amendments made by this House to the Amendments made by the Lords to the Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Bill, and disagree with one other of the Amendments, for which disagreement they assign a Reason; that they do not insist on the Amendment to which this House hath disagreed.

LANDLORD AND TENANT (No. 2) BILL.

Lords reason for disagreeing to the Commons Amendment to one of the Lords Amendments to which the Lords have disagreed, considered.

That they do disagree with the Amendment made by the Commons to one of the Lords Amendments, page 8, line 1, for the following reason: Because the effect would be to prevent a tenant whose tenancy terminated on notice, from applying for the grant of a new lease until after the termination of the tenancy.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Vivian Henderson): I beg to move, "That this House doth not insist on its Amendment to the Lords Amendment to which the Lords have disagreed."
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed this small point with the hon. and learned Member opposite, and I think we are agreed that there was a slight error in judgment on this question. Had we allowed this Amendment to stand the result would have been to prevent a tenant whose tenancy is terminated by notice, from applying for the grant of a new lease till after the termination of his tenancy, and that was not our intention.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY: Might we have the exact effect of this matter from the Government? I did not understand who was the hon. and learned Member opposite to whom reference was made.

Sir V. HENDERSON: The Solicitor-General in the Labour Government.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: He is a right hon. Member. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] Then he ought to be. Now that I have the information from the Under-Secretary I am much obliged, and it reassures me. But what will be the exact effect on the tenants? I understand that it is a question now between February and March. It will be a difference of only about one month.

Sir V. HENDERSON: I think the hon. and gallant Member is discussing another Amendment.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: I put this question, what the exact effect will be on the tenants. The Government have already made a mistake, and admit it, and I am prepared to let them off; but can we be informed where the tenant stands? I am much more concerned about him than the Government are.

Sir V. HENDERSON: I have already explained that to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: With great respect, I say it has not been explained at all. What will be the exact effect of this on tenants from now onwards, from the passing of this Bill?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks): I apologise for not having been present earlier; I was at a Cabinet meeting. This was not a mistake by the Government. It was a mistake made by the hon. and gallant Member's Front Bench, and I was so trustful that I accepted a statement made by the hon. and learned Member for South-East Leeds (Sir H. Slesser)—if there was a mistake at all. Perhaps I am of too trustful a character, and I let this go through. The hon. and learned Member found out immediately afterwards what had happened, and was kind enough to say that he had made a mistake. If this Amendment had been left in the Bill by the Lords no tenant could have put
in an application for a new lease until after his tenancy had terminated, and there would have been no continuity. I am satisfied that the position of the tenant is secure.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: That is exactly the Amendment I was discussing. I had had an explanation of it from one of the officials of another place and I knew exactly what I was talking about. I only wish the Home Secretary would trust our Front Bench when our Front Bench is right.

Question put, and agreed to.

ROYAL ASSENT.

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.

The House went, and having returned,

Mr. SPEAKER: (standing in the Clerk's place at the Table): I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission, under the Great Seal, was read, authorising the Royal Assent to—

1. Appropriation (No. 2) Act, 1927.
2. Criminal Appeal (Scotland) Act, 1927.
3. Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1927.
4. Public Works Loans (No. 2) Act, 1927.
5. Cinematograph Films Act, 1927.
6. Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927.
7. Audit (Local Authorities) Act, 1927.
8. Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1927.
9. Mental Deficiency Act, 1927.
10. Expiring Laws Continuance Act, 1927.
11. Sheriff Courts and Legal Officers (Scotland) Act, 1927.
12. Landlord and Tenant Act, 1927.
13. Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927.
14. Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927.
15. Medical and Dentists Acts Amendment Act, 1927.
16. Indian Church Act, 1927.
17. Superannuation and other Trust Funds (Validation) Act, 1927.
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18. Statute Law Revision Act, 1927.
19. Colonial Probates (Protected States and Mandated Territories) Act, 1927.
20. Ministry of Health Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 10) Act, 1927.
21. Ministry of Health Provisional Order Confirmation (Sutton Coldfield Extension) Act, 1927.
22. Lerwick Harbour Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
23. Edinburgh Chartered Accountants Annuity, Etc., Fund Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
24. Edinburgh Corporation Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
26. Renfrewshire County Council (Giffnock Railway Bridges) Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
26. Grampian Electricity Supply Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
27. Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Mental and Nervous Disorders Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
28. Dundee Corporation Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
29. Perth County Buildings Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
30. Heriot-Watt College and George Heriot's Trust Order Confirmation Act, 1927.
31. Wallasey Corporation Act, 1927.
32. West Cheshire Water Board Act, 1927.

PROROGATION.

HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH.

Mr. SPEAKER: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both House of Parliament in pursuance of His Majesty's Command, as followeth:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

I have followed with constant interest the journeys of My Sons, the Prince of Wales and Prince George, to Canada, and also of My Son and
Daughter-in-Law, the Duke and Duchess of York, to New Zealand, Australia and other parts of My Dominions. I rejoice in their return, and I have learned from them with deep satisfaction of the loyal and enthusiastic welcome which they invariably experienced throughout their journeys.

It gave Me particular pleasure in the course of the summer to receive in My capital the President of the French Republic accompanied by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. The visit gave fresh evidence of the cordial relations so happily established between My Government and the Government of the Republic and afforded My people a welcome opportunity of demonstrating their affection for France in the persons of these two eminent statesmen.

The visit of the King of Egypt was a source of gratification to Me and afforded an opportunity for a full exchange of views between the Egyptian Prime Minister and My Foreign Secretary. The frank and friendly nature of these conversations was in itself of good augury for the future and it is My hope that their outcome may prove of lasting benefit to both countries.

I have watched with profound sympathy and satisfaction the steady growth in influence of the League of Nations and the increasing part which it plays in composing international differences and preserving peace. The recent meeting of the Council at Geneva marked a further stage in this progress. My Government will continue to base its policy on loyal cooperation with the League.

A Conference with representatives of the United States of America and Japan was held at Geneva, at which the delegates of My Government put forward proposals for the future limitation of armaments, which if accepted would have led to substantial reductions in naval strengths and costs.

I regret that though much community of view was revealed, it was not possible to reach a general agreement. But in spite of this temporary failure, My Government have no intention of embarking upon an increase of their naval building programme, which is based upon a considered view of the defensive needs of My wide-spread Empire.

A Conference, attended by Governors or other senior officials representing twenty-six Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories; assembled in May to exchange views on proposals of common interest to the Colonial Empire. This year has also been marked by important Inter-Imperial Conferences in London dealing with education and agricultural research. I am confident of the great value of such meetings, not only in the results achieved and the recommendations made, but also in bringing together, in a spirit of comradeship and mutual assistance, those who are engaged in similar work in widely separated parts of My Dominions.

My Government having decided that the time is ripe for the initiation of the Inquiry into the working of the system of government in India for which the law provides, I have, with the concurrence of both your Houses, issued a Commission to seven of your number who will shortly embark upon their momentous task. I earnestly trust that their labours may be crowned with success, and that from their counsels may emerge a system of government which shall give contentment to the peoples of India and strengthen the bonds that unite My Empire.

A new treaty between Myself and His Majesty the King of Iraq, to replace the existing treaties between us, has been signed by Our respective representatives. The text of this treaty has been laid before you.

During the past year Agreements have been concluded with the Greek and Serb-Croat-Slovene Governments
providing for the settlement of their respective war debts to this country. The terms of the Agreements have been presented to Parliament, and, as in previous cases, they give effect to the policy adopted by My Government to limit the claims on our Allies to such amounts as, together with our Reparation Receipts, will cover the obligations My Government has itself to meet in respect of War Debts. I note with satisfaction that funding Agreements have now been signed in respect of all the Allied War Debts to this country, except that of Russia.

Members of the House of Commons,

I thank you for the provision you have made for the public service.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

My Ministers continue to watch, closely the state of employment which, though showing welcome signs of improvement in some parts of the country, still gives cause for anxiety in others. To facilitate the transfer of labour from industries with restricted opportunities for employment and in particular the coal-mining industry, a Board is to be appointed to recommend the executive action to be taken by the Departments concerned. My Ministers look with confidence for co-operation from all who can assist in this work both at home and overseas.

A Bill has been passed placing the system of insurance against unemployment upon an improved permanent basis.

Striking progress has been made during the past year in providing housing accommodation for the people and the number of new houses completed in England and Wales since the Armistice now exceeds one million.

During the past year a greater number of new houses have been completed in Scotland than in any previous year. Substantial progress is also being made with the clearance of
insanitary areas and the rehousing of displaced tenants.

A Bill has been passed to declare and amend the law with regard to Trade Disputes and Trade Unions.

I have given My assent to the Landlord and Tenant Bill, the provisions of which will secure to certain classes of tenants compensation for the loss of goodwill attacking to their premises and for unexhausted improvements, and will effect other desirable alterations in the law.

A Bill has been passed which it is hoped will materially assist the development of the British Cinematograph Film Industry.

A Bill has also been passed providing for the reorganisation of certain legal services and the amendment in certain respects of the law relating to Sheriff Court business in Scotland.

It is My earnest prayer that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon all your past and coming labours.

Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.

After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the seventh day of February, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly Prorogued until Tuesday, the seventh day of February, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.

End of the Third Session (opened Tuesday, 8th February, 1927) of the Thirty-fourth Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Fifth.